Any ideas about this electric problem?
#1
24 yrs driving 2nd Gen RX
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Any ideas about this electric problem?
Hi Gang,
I have an '87TII with 211,000 miles that mostly runs like a top. I drive over the continental divide twice a week and it just purrs.
One wierd problem happened last week and I'd like your insight about what might have caused it.
I drove from Denver to Grand Jct Colorado and worked the week. On Friday, I drove the car from the hotel to the job site - as I do every day - and it started/ran perfectly normal. Early afternoon, I prepared to return to Denver. Started the car and drove a mile or so to get gas. I left the car run while getting gas and then drove across the parking lot to get coffee and traveling snacks. This time I shut the car off.
When I returned 20min later, I turned the key and got silence. No relay, no lights, no fan. But, I did have the radar detector - on the cig lighter - working. I checked the headlights, and they were bright as when the car was running.
Thinking that it was dead, I called AAA and waited for a tow truck.
When the truck arrived an hour later, I put the key in to unlock the steering and it turned on. I started it up and drove home without incident.
Any thoughts about where this came from? What systems should I examine?
Thanks in advance!
- kel -
I have an '87TII with 211,000 miles that mostly runs like a top. I drive over the continental divide twice a week and it just purrs.
One wierd problem happened last week and I'd like your insight about what might have caused it.
I drove from Denver to Grand Jct Colorado and worked the week. On Friday, I drove the car from the hotel to the job site - as I do every day - and it started/ran perfectly normal. Early afternoon, I prepared to return to Denver. Started the car and drove a mile or so to get gas. I left the car run while getting gas and then drove across the parking lot to get coffee and traveling snacks. This time I shut the car off.
When I returned 20min later, I turned the key and got silence. No relay, no lights, no fan. But, I did have the radar detector - on the cig lighter - working. I checked the headlights, and they were bright as when the car was running.
Thinking that it was dead, I called AAA and waited for a tow truck.
When the truck arrived an hour later, I put the key in to unlock the steering and it turned on. I started it up and drove home without incident.
Any thoughts about where this came from? What systems should I examine?
Thanks in advance!
- kel -
#2
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: South Jordan UT
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Well, I'd try checking the main power relay on the drivers side inner fender and for a loose connection on the underhood fuse box. This is far from the only possibility but should be a good starting place.
#3
24 yrs driving 2nd Gen RX
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Location: A Mile Closer to God (Denver)
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Found It!
The problem is a corroded connector that connects the feed from the 80amp main fuse to the ignition switch. It's a single 3/16" thick black wire with a black snap-together connector that is in the harness just below the Main Fuse Block.
I found that there was no 12v input to the ignition switch, so I turned the switch on and start going from the battery inward with my volt meter.
I unbolted the Main Fuse block, and pulled it out of the way to take some measurements, and I heard the car come on - fan, relay click etc.
As i carefully moved the block around to flex the wiring, I could turn the systems on and off. Then I found the described connector and pulled it apart - the car shut down.
Inside, it was quite corroded. I cleaned it up, put it back together and my baby is happy again.
Thanks to all for suggestions.
- kel -
The problem is a corroded connector that connects the feed from the 80amp main fuse to the ignition switch. It's a single 3/16" thick black wire with a black snap-together connector that is in the harness just below the Main Fuse Block.
I found that there was no 12v input to the ignition switch, so I turned the switch on and start going from the battery inward with my volt meter.
I unbolted the Main Fuse block, and pulled it out of the way to take some measurements, and I heard the car come on - fan, relay click etc.
As i carefully moved the block around to flex the wiring, I could turn the systems on and off. Then I found the described connector and pulled it apart - the car shut down.
Inside, it was quite corroded. I cleaned it up, put it back together and my baby is happy again.
Thanks to all for suggestions.
- kel -
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